Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile The weavers of Coptic Egypt  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 600 AD to 900 AD Dimensions: 2" (5.1cm) high x 2" (5.1cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile The weavers of Coptic Egypt created vibrant masterpieces in colored wool and silk to adorn the clothing of secular and ecclesiastic officials. This unusual circular fragment, once attached to a tunic, depicts a stylized human figure bent into an animal pose. It may represent the Biblical story of the madness of Nebuchadnezzar, or perhaps it is simply a comment on the human condition. Rendered in the bold lines and colors of early Christian art, it possesses the hypnotic, surreal quality of a dream. The centuries have in no way diminished its visual power. - (P.3613)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 700 AD Dimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Bone Who held this delicate vessel  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 700 AD Dimensions: 1.625" (4.1cm) high x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Bone Who held this delicate vessel so long ago during the sunset of the Classical world? Did it sit perhaps among the cosmetics of a beautiful lady, who might have applied the dark kohl or ground malachite once held within to her eyelids? Today, this rare jar holds only the power to intrigue us, to take our imaginations on voyages to places that have long since vanished into the shadows of time. - (PF.0136)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 12.75" (32.4cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile Egypt was an important  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 12.75" (32.4cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile Egypt was an important center for the early history of Christianity, a place where centuries of tradition mixed freely with new ideas and doctrines. Coptic art--that of Christian Egypt-- celebrated the still young faith with a vigorous and lively style. The weavers of textiles particularly excelled, as these rare fragments of a Christian tunic (perhaps a burial costume) show. We feel here the simple power and energy which was at the heart of the young church, the essence of belief still free of doubt. - (PF.0349a)   « Less

Throughout the Bronze Age, Egyptian culture strongly influenced the peoples of ancient Palestine, including the Philistines. Among the many customs borrowed from Egypt was  More »

Throughout the Bronze Age, Egyptian culture strongly influenced the peoples of ancient Palestine, including the Philistines. Among the many customs borrowed from Egypt was the tradition of burying deceased individuals of high rank in coffins modeled after the human form. Most probably, those interred in this fashion were Philistine aristocrats who emulated Egyptian ways, though it is possible that they might have been provincial officials of the Egyptian kingdom. This rare and magnificent terracotta mask, a fragment of a full-sized casket, depicts the face of man who stares back at us from beyond the grave. Although his features reveal the influence of Egyptian mummy cases, the high headdress suggests that this coffin is of Philistine origin. The modeling and painting are lively and quick, a local variation of the more refined Egyptian style. This bold expressionism gives the fragment a vital presence. Though the portrait is hardly an accurate one, it conveys the energy of a real human life, an energy still felt thousand of years later. - (X.0384)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Coptic Medium: Textile The textile  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 400 AD to 600 AD Dimensions: 3.5" (8.9cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Antiquities Style: Coptic Medium: Textile The textile weavers of Egypt were considered the finest in the ancient world. Using wool, silk, and linen, they created bold pictorial masterpieces to adorn the garments of the rich and powerful. Dating to the twilight of the pagan age, this small roundel depicts a scene from classical mythology. A naked sea nymph carrying a seashell sits upon a hippogriff, a creature with a lion's head and a fish's tail. Defined with strong, clear lines and an eye to unity of design, this charming piece evokes a world in transition, the last brilliant flowering of paganism. - (PF.1260)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 7.5" (19.1cm) wide Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium:  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8.5" (21.6cm) high x 7.5" (19.1cm) wide Catalogue: V1 Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where a dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale, yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This magnificent fragment, in an excellent state of preservation, was probably the central panel on a linen tunic. It has nine roundels of intertwined vines. In the central space is a plant growing in an urn, while the corners are filled with four swirling dancers. The other panels depict animals native to the Egyptian landscape. Combining abstract design with naturalistic subject matter, this splendid piece epitomizes the finest in Coptic weaving of the Late Roman period. - (PF.2105)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 5.5" (14.0cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where the dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This lovely textile, which once adorned a tunic, depicts a stylized fruit tree flanked by two graceful birds. In the arid desert world of Egypt, such a tree represented a cool oasis, a paradise. This might be a variation on the "Tree of Life" theme, or possibly a representation of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Worked in rich reds and greens, it puts us in intimate touch with a vanished world. - (PF.2108)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where a dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This abstract clothing applique, with a green field boldly outlined in black, depicts the tree of life, age-old symbol of joy and happiness. This vigorous motif has recurred in art since earliest antiquity. We assume that the individual who wore it long ago shared our joy in life's simple pleasures. - (PF.2110)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 8" (20.3cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine Empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where a dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This large and stunning fragment, worked in rich reds and browns, depicts the front half of a rearing horse. The wave under its feet suggests that it is a hippocamp, a horse with a fish tail, most likely being ridden by a triton, a sea god. Such a textile might once have belonged to a wealthy individual in the twilight of the Classical Age. Its vigorous energy makes us wonder if such creatures really did roam the world at that time. - (PF.2111)   « Less

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For  More »

Origin: Egypt Circa: 4 th Century AD to 7 th Century AD Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high x 3.25" (8.3cm) wide Collection: Egyptian Style: Coptic Medium: Textile For centuries, the native weavers of Egypt were famous for the richness of their work. Using intricate patterns and vivid colors, Coptic weavers created masterpieces of textile art. Coptic textiles, used for rugs, wall hangings and clothing appliques, were exported throughout the Roman and Byzantine empires. However, the finest surviving examples come from Egypt itself, where the dry climate has preserved the delicate fabric. Intimate in scale yet monumental in vision, these woven pictures speak of a world alive with color and movement. This lovely textile, which once adorned a tunic, depicts a stylized fruit tree flanked by two graceful birds. In the arid desert world of Egypt, such a tree represented a cool oasis, a paradise. This might be a variation on the "Tree of Life" theme, or possibly a representation of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. Worked in rich reds and greens, it puts us in intimate touch with a vanished world. - (PF.2112)   « Less